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LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Andrew McDonald threw for two TD's as New Mexico State avoided the FBS-Independent cellar by beating Idaho 24-16 on Saturday.

Idaho and New Mexico State_both trying to avoid the cellar position of FBS Independent schools_held nothing back in the first half trading passing TDs and field goals and Idaho (1-11) led 13-10 going in to the break.

McDonald tossed a 7-yard TD to Austin Franklin and Adam Shapiro ran for another Aggie TD in the fourth quarter giving New Mexico State (2-10) an advantage Idaho could not overcome. In fact, the Vandals scored only three points in the second half. Idaho launched a final drive with two minutes left that ended with three incomplete passes from inside the New Mexico red zone.

Idaho outgained the Aggies 459 to 371 yards, but New Mexico State had only one penalty while Idaho gathered eight for 95 yards.